The Chardon Hilltoppers hosted a 7-on-7 football scrimmage on June 19.
The Chardon Hilltoppers hosted a 7-on-7 football scrimmage on June 19.
Participating at Memorial Field were also the Kirtland Hornets, Madison Blue Streaks and West Geauga Wolverines.
The scrimmage consisted of each team’s receivers, quarterbacks, linebackers and defensive backs competing against each other in a 7-on-7 format.
At the same time, the linemen were involved in various drills on an adjacent practice field.
After the 7-on-7 and the lineman drills, the scrimmage ended with a lineman challenge.
Chardon Head Coach Mitch Hewitt discussed how his team performed afterward.Chardon replaces a lot of starters from last season, he said, so June 7-on-7’s are a way to evaluate players to see how they are performing.
Offensively, Hewitt said the Hilltoppers were working on a lot of new passing plays they plan to install into their offense this season.
Hewitt emphasized that a strong passing game is important because the Hilltoppers run the ball very well. If their passing game is sharp, they can hit the deep pass when it is called.
On defense, Hewitt said Chardon’s coaching staff is focused on developing its secondary, since many of last season’s starting defensive backs have graduated.
Hilltoppers standout running back and defensive back Caleb Hewitt, a senior, also talked about the importance of 7-on-7 competitions: they help the team understand what it needs to improve upon throughout the summer months.
West G’s coaches and players also talked about the things they need to focus on this summer.
Wolverines Head Coach Matt Rosati said his summer training is about helping the players get into shape and also teaching them what they need to know for the upcoming season.
Added West Geauga Defensive Coordinator Aaron Perusek, “(Our defense is) starting to learn where their drops are, their reads, where they’re going and how to get to the ball. So we’re definitely getting there. We still have a long way to go, but we’re still getting to where we need to be.”
Senior running back and linebacker Nasir Levy reiterated that the Wolverines have been making good progress.
“I think we’re looking good,” Levy said. “Having a hard off-season makes good when you get to the real season. Work hard in the off-season, and then everything just becomes easier when we get pads on.”
Junior quarterback Finn Keenan said the 7-on-7 at Chardon were fun and that offensively, the Wolverines are working on their timing and making connections between the quarterback and the receivers.
Added junior wide receiver Dominic Paros, “Today’s 7-on-7, I think we played really well. All around, we’re getting better at making connections with the QB and the receivers.”
Another important focus of West G’s summer training is the development of team unity and cohesion.
The whole team wore the number two during 7-on-7’s, and the words Team First were on the front of the Wolverine jersey.
“The team’s first,” Rosati explained. “We are all second to the team.”
